Ya know what… I have to admit it, sometimes I get so wrapped up in delivering useful tips, tricks, and techniques that help you gain potential fans that I forget about the basics. I am talking about what goes on behind the scenes to make a music marketing campaign successful.

Case and point
I just started with a new client and have been emailing him requesting needed photos, videos, music, etc. to plan his campaign. As I started getting the files I noticed that none of them were formatted correctly, had any type of branding information, and basically were just everyday files that a “normal” internet user would be sending to friends and family. I stopped what I was doing, picked up the phone, and started a conversation that led me to this blog post:

“Hey ________, thanks for sending over the files, but I notice you didn’t put your logo on any of the pictures or a water mark on any of the video files so potential fans would know where to go to find out more about your music. What’s up with that?”

“What are you talking about?”

“You know how when you go to different artist pages and look at the photo section of their website each photo has a logo usually at the bottom of the picture or if you watch a video on youtube by your favorite band at the bottom of the video or towards the end there will be something that appears and says go here to learn more?

“OK”

“That is what I am talking about. I don’t see any of that on the stuff you are sending me.”

“I didn’t know I was supposed to do that.”

AHHHHHH, the light bulb went off in my head!

This is a new artist that up until this point has used the internet for friends and family. He has never done music marketing online. He has never tracked his efforts or even has a clue about how to track his efforts. He is used to using the internet like the average person, not as a music marketing guru!

My Point….

This new client has opened my eyes to a reality that I have over looked for far too long. It’s like a new bass player coming to me and asking “How do I get fans to come to more of my shows?” I usually do not go into.. “well, you are new and right now you only know how to play two scales and really can’t keep time very well, so the first thing I would suggest is practicing about four hours a day and get good so when fans do come, they like what they hear.” Instead, I talk about email lists, merchandise/information booths, and street teams. But right there in my face is the most obvious thing the bass player could do… prepare.

Music marketing takes massive preparation. The final move is standing on every rooftop and screaming to all that will listen; “Check out my music, you will love it!” The actual behind the scenes stuff take the time, effort, creativity, and work. But often times we, and by we I mean all us marketing types, forget that the prep comes natuaral to us because we have been doing it for so long. I forget that you might just be starting out and don’t know the difference between a PO box at the post office and a PO box that allows package deliveries. I forget that you may not already have a standard watermark prepared to place on every video you create or a logo that has been preformatted so that all you have to do is copy and paste it to any photo you decide to use in marketing your music. I forget that the basics, what I take for granted because I have been doing them for so long, is what you really need!

You see, the basics, the little things that make all the difference in the world when it comes to reaching potential fans and getting them to do what you want them to do, are the fundamentals of music marketing. If you get the behind the scene basics to become natural the actual marketing of your music seems simple! Actually, if you cover the behind the scene stuff you can almost do no wrong when marketing because at least you are reaching potential fans and they know what to do next.

Conclusion:

Starting today, I have posted a new article on the main I am Music Network site featuring “Behind the Scenes” tips, tricks, and techniques. I will continue to do so until I feel the basics have been covered at length! So, what are you waiting for? Click on the following link and start learning the basics!

Multi-Media File Storage and Maintenance

Peace,
Jai
“love the MUSIC in yourself, NOT yourself in the MUSIC!”